GoMA is aiming to get more young people engaged by giving them the opportunity to make the gallery their own. Courtesy Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow.

Faced with the task of figuring out a way of getting more teenagers in through the door, staff at the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) in Glasgow came up with the idea of asking those who should know best.

Over the coming months a panel of 16 to 21 year-olds will be appointed at the institution and given the job of designing an exhibition and events programme that will engage other young people.

Michelle Freeman, Youth Co-ordinator at GoMA, told the 24 Hour Museum that while the young people of Glasgow sometimes get a bad press, the panel offers them a chance to show what they can really do.

It is, she said, "an opportunity for young people to excel and show off their work in a public place," and aims "to raise the profile of young people in Glasgow."

GoMA's innovative programming secured it a spot on the shortlist for the Gulbenkian Prize for Museum of the Year in 2004. Courtesy Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow.

GoMA is the UK’s second most visited contemporary art gallery outside of London and staff are keen to keep attracting and encouraging interest in visual art from all sectors of the community. As such Michelle wants to recruit panellists from all different backgrounds, faiths, cultures and abilities.

"The aim of the project isn’t just to work with people who are top of the class," she added, "it’s for everyone."

With this in mind, recruitment sessions are going to be held in September at which all applicants will get a chance to show what they’re made of. Michelle and her colleagues won't necessarily be looking for a formal background in art or galleries, but instead for enthusiasm and natural curiosity.

It’s hoped that a panel of around 25 young people will be selected and be ready to get started in October.

As to what they’ll be doing: that’s up to them. "It could be anything from curating their own show, working with artists; it might be performances, it could be a comic book," said Michelle, "we want them to think about what’s going to attract other people with different interests."

Staff at GoMA have already tried letting local young people take over with the innovative Nu - Inliners and Eyeliners (opens in a new window). In 2003 the goth, rock and skater kids, who make the outside of the gallery their weekend home, put on a show of their artwork. Courtesy Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow.

They’ll have their own allocated events budget and will have to plan, organise and publicise a programme to help introduce younger generations to the gallery.

Michelle admits that, for an institution of GoMA’s standing, allowing the panel to have free rein could be a little dangerous. However, she’s determined that it should be this way: "We are going to take a risk and I’ve got to stick my neck out and stick up for their ideas," she said.

A spot on the panel will also bring with it the chance to report back on all aspects of GoMA and to make recommendations as to how it can be made more youth-friendly and accessible.

The scheme has been funded by a Scottish Arts Council Audience Development grant and Glasgow City Council and is supported by the council’s education service, Young Scot and Youth Link.

For an application pack and/or further information, Michelle Freeman can be contacted by email on: michelle.freeman@cls.glasgow.gov.uk.